Analysis: The Canadiens are healthy and enjoying the best record in the NHL. They’re 6-3-1 in their last 10, and have a +18 goal differential.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: Carey Price has put up MVP/Vezina type numbers to start the season. He’s currently sitting at a 1.58 GAA, 0.950 save % with a 11-0-1 record. If he keeps this pace up, Montreal will be at the top of the standings all season long

Analysis: Patrick Kane once again leads the team in scoring, but the Blackhawks have seen a very balanced scoring attack. They will need their Penalty Kill numbers to improve if they want to maintain 1st place in the West throughout the season.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: Artemi Panarin has followed his impressive rookie season up with 17 points in 18 games and is a +11.

Analysis: The Blue Jackets have been outstanding to start the season, with a scorching 29.3% on the power play. They’ve certain relied on Zach Werenski to start the season, and will continue to do so with Seth Jones out indefinitely.

Injuries: Seth Jones is on the IR with a fractured foot

Who’s Hot: 19 year old Zach Werenski is one of the early favourites for the Calder trophy thus far. He’s arguably been the best player on the team.

Analysis: The Capitals have received great production out of Backstrom and Johansson to start the season, but will need to see Ovechkin and Kuznetsov step up if they are to contend. The power play numbers need a significant increase moving forward

Injuries: TJ Oshie and Lars Eller are out with upper body injuries

Who’s Hot: Holtby is keeping the Capitals in most games, and is an early season Vezina candidate with a 1.91 GAA and a 9-3-1 record.

Analysis: David Pastrnak was having an incredible start to his season with 10 goals in his first 14 games prior to his injury. The Bruins will need Bergeron to step up if the Bruins want to contend this season.

Injuries: David Pastrnak is day to day with an upper body injury.

Who’s Hot: Can anyone beat Tuukka Rask this year? He’s putting up an 11-2 record with a 1.46 GAA, 0.946 SV% and 3 shutouts.

Analysis: Bobby Ryan’s injury is going to hurt this team offensively, and they’re hoping Mike Hoffman is back soon. The power play has been awful thus far. Look for the Senators to make a move up front if they can’t turn things around offensively, especially with Ryan out.

Injuries: Bobby Ryan with a broken finger and Mike Hoffman is DTD with an undisclosed injury

Who’s Hot: Erik Karlsson has been great, leading the team is scoring with 14 points in 18 games.

Analysis: The Ducks have overcome a slow start, and now lead their division. They’re looking forward to their game against the Blackhawks on Saturday, which should provide a true indication of how strong this team really is.

Injuries: Simon Despres has been out since the beginning of the season with a concussion.

Who’s Hot: Both Getzlaf and Perry lead the team in points, with Getzlaf sitting at 14 assists on the season.

Analysis: Taylor Hall’s injury will force the likes of Zajac and Palmieri to really step it up offensively in his absence. As usual, the Devils have played well defensively thus far, allowing just 38 goals on the season.

Injuries: Taylor Hall is on the IR with a left knee injury.

Who’s Hot: Damon Severson has 12 points in 15 games on the blueline for the Devils.

Analysis: Edmonton started the season on fire, and was once one of the league’s best teams. They’ve since cooled off, going 3-6-1 in their last 10 games. Connor McDavid went through a brief goal scoring slump, but still leads the team with 22 points in 19 games.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: Considered one of the best players in the league, Connor McDavid has shown what he’s capable each night. His overall skill set is truly unique to the sport. Look for him to contend for the league\'s scoring title this season.

Analysis: Minnesota has been one of the league’s elite defensive teams this season, allowing just 32 goals in 17 games. This can be contributed to Devan Dubnyk’s hot start between the pipes, as he’s sporting a 1.60 GAA with 3 shutouts to start the season.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: Ryan Suter has 13 points in 17 games on the blueline, in addition to his +9. He’s been averaging over 27 minutes per game for the Wild.

Analysis: The Kings suffered through a slow start to the season once Jonathan Quick went down to injury. They’ve since turned it around, going 6-3-1 in their last 10 games. The reason? Peter Budaj. He’s got a 10-6-1 record with a 2.11 GAA, and has given this team hope.

Analysis: After coming close to winning the cup last season, the Sharks have really struggled as of late. They’re 4-5-1 in their last 10, and just can’t seem to find any consistency. With 5 points through 18 games, Patrick Marleau will really need to find some more offensive production if the Sharks want to contend once again.

Injuries: Tomas Hertl is on the IR with a knee injury.

Who’s Hot: Joe Pavelski has been excellent, averaging almost 20 minutes per game and producing 16 points in 18 games.

Analysis: The Jets have been great offensively, but can’t seem to keep the puck out of the net. Patrick Laine has emerged as one of the league’s elite offensive players, and has been extremely dangerous on the power play. The Jets are missing several players due to injury, and should greatly improve once they’re at full health.

Analysis: The Flyers have had a hard time keeping the puck out of the net, and haven’t received much in terms of goaltending. Both Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth have GAA over 3, and SV%’s under .900.

Injuries: Michal Neuvirth is on the IR with a knee injury.

Who’s Hot: Travis Konecny was a surprise addition to the roster, and has made Flyer fans excited for the future. His 11 points through 19 games is impressive for a 19 year old rookie.

Analysis: Leaf fans finally have something to be excited about. The Nylander, Marner and Matthews trio have been extremely impressive. The Leafs will need more from their back end should they wish to contend for a playoff spot. Long term, they need another top 4 shut down type of defender.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: Mitch Marner has arguably been the best player on the team so far this season, especially as of late. He sits 2nd on the team in scoring with 16 points in 18 games.

Analysis: Bryan Bickell was recently diagnosed with MS and has a huge uphill battle ahead of him. I wish him nothing but the best for him and his family. He has been an incredible leader both on and off the ice for the Blackhawks and Hurricanes organizations.

Injuries: Eddie Lack

Who’s Hot: Jeff Skinner has been one of the few bright spots offensive for the Hurricanes with 15 points.

Analysis: The Stars just can’t seem to get it going. They’ve been awful defensively, as both Niemi and Lehtonen have had rough starts to the season. They’re going to need reliable goaltending should they want to make a run in the playoffs this year.

Injuries: Johnny Oduya

Who’s Hot: Tyler Seguin has 21 points in 19 games and should contend for the Art Ross trophy this season.

Analysis: The Predators have just been very average to start the season, just as their record suggests. They’ve not shown any sign of being an elite contender, and will need Ryan Johansen to really step it up offensively.

Injuries: No key injuries

Who’s Hot: James Neal and Filip Forsberg both have 12 points and lead the team in scoring.

Analysis: The tale of 2 goaltenders. Jimmy Howard has been great, and Petr Mrazek hasn’t been. The Red Wings will need to ride the hot hand, so look for them to give Jimmy Howard more starts moving forward until he falters.

Injuries: Tomas Jurco, Johan Franzen and Darren Helm are all on the IR.

Analysis: Colorado has been one of the worst offensive teams in the league to start the season. With all their young fire power, this comes as a surprise. Landeskog will need to contribute should Colorado want to come out of the basement.

Injuries: Landeskog is DTD with a lower body injury.

Who’s Hot: Matt Duchene is almost at a point per game pace and is one of the few players on the roster without a negative +/- rating.

Analysis: For a team that was already struggling offensively, losing Johnny Gaudreau is really going to hurt this team. Look for both Sam Bennett and Sean Monahan to replace Gaudreau’s offensive output.

Analysis: This team needs to rebuild, plain and simple. Players like Jake Virtanen should be in the AHL, and should be spending the entire season (or more) in the minors. There’s absolutely no need to rush some of their youth through development because of holes in their roster.

Analysis: The Islanders are not receiving any sort of offensive production out of some key players. You’re going to stay in the basement when players like Andrew Ladd starts the season off with 3 points in 17 games. Things need to change in a hurry with this team, or they’ll continue to fall out of the race sooner than later.

Injuries: Mikhail Grabovski, Ryan Pulock and Dennis Seidenberg are on the IR.

Who’s Hot: Tavares leads the team in scoring with 13 points, and has been one of the few bright spots so far.